How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you, such as data centers and drought, cattle prices and beef imports, health care or the war with Iran.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget, including the farm bill, Medicaid and trade policy, and the Senate also confirms federal judges and approves treaties. The three statewide measures would change Montana’s constitution or state law on judicial elections, citizen initiatives and corporate election spending.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words, endorsements and who funds each campaign.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. Montana’s Eastern District covers much of central and eastern Montana, including Billings, Great Falls and Helena, and is still drawn on the map the state’s Districting and Apportionment Commission adopted in 2021. ​

Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT) won the open seat in 2024 with 65.7% of the vote to 33.9% for Democrat John Driscoll. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the 2026 race Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Safe Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Downing, 59, of Helena, grew up in California and has had a home in Montana since 1998, according to KTVH’s Downing profile. Downing ran several businesses, served in the Air Force and the California Air National Guard from 2001 to 2009 and was elected Montana state auditor in 2020. Downing was unopposed in the Tuesday, June 2 Republican primary.

Democrat Brian Miller, 54, is a Helena attorney who grew up in Florida, first came to Montana as a tour bus driver in Glacier National Park and clerked at the Montana Supreme Court after law school, according to KTVH’s Miller profile. Miller represents Yellowstone County Voices, a citizens’ group seeking a county vote on data center projects. Miller won the June 2 Democratic primary with 55.5% of the vote to 27.2% for Sam Lux.

Independent Michael Eisenhauer of Great Falls is an interventional cardiologist and retired Army colonel who served nearly 25 years on active duty, according to Eisenhauer’s campaign biography. Eisenhauer earned a Bronze Star after a 2009 deployment to Baghdad as deputy forces surgeon for Multi-National Forces Iraq. The secretary of state certified Eisenhauer for the ballot on Wednesday, July 15, according to the Daily Montanan’s report on independent candidates.

Libertarian Patrick McCracken is a fourth-generation Montanan from Billings who now lives in Columbia Falls and sells gold as an account executive for Blanchard and Company, according to KPAX’s McCracken profile. McCracken was unopposed for the Libertarian nomination and says the war with Iran pushed McCracken to run.

Where They Stand

Data centers and drought. Miller calls data centers the top issue of the campaign, wants stricter regulation and says the region is in “the sixth year of a drought.” Miller also faults NorthWestern Energy, the Public Service Commission and Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) for a lack of transparency, according to NBC Montana’s candidate roundup. Downing says data center decisions are “absolutely something that should be handled on the local level” and opposes a national moratorium. Eisenhauer opposes mandates from either the state or federal government and wants communities to negotiate enforceable limits on noise, energy and water use. McCracken would write a bill making data centers pay the full cost of the power they use.

Farms and ranches. Downing, Miller and Eisenhauer all oppose the proposal to import 300,000 metric tons of beef tariff free. Downing calls a five-year farm bill the top priority, and Eisenhauer says “We need to pass a damn farm bill.” Miller, Eisenhauer and McCracken back mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, and Miller and Eisenhauer want tougher antitrust action against the largest meatpackers.

Health care. Downing supports the 2025 tax and spending law’s Medicaid work requirements, calling them “reasonable,” and wants state regulators to oversee Medicare Advantage plans and more health savings accounts. Miller says the law cut $1 trillion from Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the top 1% and would repeal and replace it, restore Affordable Care Act subsidies and pursue universal coverage, according to Montana Free Press’ health care report. Eisenhauer says the law threatens Montana’s rural hospitals and opposes a single payer system. McCracken wants hospitals to post real cash prices and supports cheaper catastrophic plans and health savings accounts.

Taxes and tariffs. Downing says of the 2025 law “We prevented the largest tax increase in American history.” The law extended the 2017 individual tax cuts, which were set to expire at the end of 2025. Downing says tariffs have “opened a lot of eyes” about unfair trade but carry “pain points.” Miller opposes the tariffs and would repeal the 2025 law, and Eisenhauer says Congress must take back control of trade policy.

The war with Iran. Downing says “this was not a war of choice with Iran.” Miller calls the war “a fiasco” and would not vote for Defense Department funding until most U.S. forces leave the Middle East. Eisenhauer calls it “illegitimate and illegal,” and McCracken says “No to new wars, no to borrowing money to fight new wars.”

Immigration. Downing says “we’re anti-invasion” rather than anti-immigration and supports expanding legal immigration. Miller opposes mass deportation and supports probationary legal status for some undocumented residents. Eisenhauer supports a path to citizenship and protections for Dreamers.

Housing. Downing backed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and wants to cut building regulations. Miller supports community land trusts and limits on mobile home lot rent increases. Eisenhauer would make mortgages transferable and cut capital gains taxes for retirees who downsize, and McCracken blames Federal Reserve policy for rising home prices.

In Their Own Words

Troy Downing, to KTVH:

“It bothers me that now the median first-time homebuyer is 40 years old.”

Brian Miller, to NBC Montana:

“My bottom line on data centers, is I don’t know about the long term, but for now we shouldn’t even be thinking about this until we’re out of this drought.”

Michael Eisenhauer, in Montana Free Press’ candidate questionnaire:

“Leading with anger or combativeness is not effective.”

Patrick McCracken, in the same questionnaire:

“Montanans built this grid. Data centers pay full cost or they don’t belong here.”

Questionnaires And Debates

All four candidates answered Montana Free Press’ March candidate questionnaire, which asked about war powers, rural health care, housing and two issues unique to Montana, according to McCracken’s Montana Free Press questionnaire. None of the four completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Downing did not answer Montana Free Press’ October health care question, so the outlet used Downing’s March answers. McCracken did not respond to NBC Montana’s Sunday, Oct. 4 candidate roundup.

Endorsements

AllCiv’s endorsement data lists President Donald Trump and AIPAC as backing Downing before the primary. The data lists the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as backing Downing after the primary.

After the primary, former Sen. Jon Tester (D) endorsed Eisenhauer, saying Eisenhauer is “more than qualified to do the job,” according to KULR’s report on the endorsement on Monday, July 6. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists the Forward Party and the Montana AFL-CIO among Eisenhauer’s backers.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Downing reported raising $2,733,160 and spending $2,098,043, with $746,648 on hand.
  • Eisenhauer reported raising $354,191 and spending $330,887, with $23,304 on hand.
  • Miller reported raising $30,958 and spending $28,854, with $669 on hand.
  • McCracken has not reported any fundraising.

Downing raised about $1.5 million from individuals and $682,000 from PACs and reports $2.0 million in campaign debt, according to AllCiv’s Downing candidate page. Eisenhauer reports $266,000 in debt. AllCiv’s Montana 2nd District race page shows no outside spending in the race. Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings, while smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total.

The Incumbent’s Record

Downing serves on the House Financial Services Committee, including its Capital Markets and Housing and Insurance subcommittees and a task force on monetary policy, and joined the Natural Resources Committee earlier this year, according to AllCiv and KTVH. This Congress, Downing has voted in 641 of 645 roll call votes and voted against most Republicans 3 times out of 606, according to AllCiv’s vote data. Downing has cosponsored 164 bills, and the 26 bills Downing introduced drew 187 cosponsors, with one becoming law.

Downing voted for the 2025 tax and spending law, which passed the House 218 to 214 on Thursday, July 3, 2025, according to the House clerk’s roll call. Downing supported the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which became law in July, according to the Congress.gov record of the bill’s actions. Downing also introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act and cosponsored the Stop Insider Trading Act. Downing says Downing has “consistently opposed proposals to sell off our public land” as a member of the Public Lands Caucus.

Challengers’ Records

Miller, Eisenhauer and McCracken have not held public office. Miller sued over Eisenhauer’s place on the ballot but dropped the case after missing a hearing, according to KTVH.

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges and Cabinet members, and approves treaties.

The seat is open because Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) withdrew on Wednesday, March 4, minutes before the filing deadline, and endorsed Kurt Alme, according to Montana Public Radio. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Safe Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s Senate race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Kurt Alme of Billings was twice nominated by Trump as U.S. attorney for Montana and earlier served as state budget director and revenue director, according to Alme’s Ballotpedia profile. Alme graduated from Harvard Law School and also worked in the administration of former Gov. Judy Martz (R), according to the Daily Montanan’s Senate voter guide. Alme won the June 2 Republican primary with 76.1% of the vote.

Independent Seth Bodnar of Missoula is a West Point graduate, Rhodes Scholar and former Green Beret who deployed to Iraq and served eight years as president of the University of Montana, according to Bodnar’s Ballotpedia profile. Bodnar formally launched an independent campaign on March 4, the same day Daines withdrew, according to the Daily Montanan’s campaign launch report.

Democrat Alani Bankhead of Helena is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former federal special agent who worked on anti-trafficking and child exploitation cases, according to Bankhead’s Ballotpedia profile. Bankhead won the June 2 Democratic primary with 43.6% of the vote to 33.0% for Reilly Neill.

Libertarian Kyle Austin of Billings is a pharmacist, farmer and pilot raised on the Hi-Line, according to Austin’s Ballotpedia profile). Austin won the Libertarian primary with 53.3% of the vote, though the state Libertarian Party has said Austin does not share its values, according to the Daily Montanan’s Senate debate report. Jami Woodman is running as a write-in candidate.

Where They Stand

Health care. Alme says “Insurance premiums on Montana’s exchange have increased almost 175%” and wants to give “healthcare dollars to patients to shop for policies instead of subsidizing insurance companies,” according to Montana Free Press. Alme also says Alme “will never support a cut in benefits for seniors.” Bodnar backs a universal coverage option “while maintaining choice and competition,” restoring expired Affordable Care Act subsidies and protecting Medicaid expansion, and wants to “stop the Medicaid eligibility verification rules that will cause 30,000 Montanans to lose access.” Bankhead backs universal health care modeled on the military’s TRICARE program and would restore the enhanced premium tax credits that expired Jan. 1. Austin proposes “Healthcare 2.0” and wants to “actually pay our providers what they’re worth.”

Data centers and AI. Bankhead says “I am the loudest on this stage about being opposed to them.” Bodnar says “we need to stop any AI data center that wants to come into this state and exploit Montana communities.” Alme says AI companies should be “transparent, clear about their cost to the community and other effects.” Austin says “I don’t want data centers in my backyard in Montana.”

Tariffs and trade. Alme says “I had my doubts about tariffs, but Canada has gone with unfair trade for too long.” Bodnar calls them “nonsensical, non-strategic trade wars that are driving up costs for all of us,” and Austin wants “0% tariffs,” according to Montana Free Press’ Senate debate report.

Immigration. Alme says “Securing the border is common sense. And President Trump has done it.” Bodnar calls Immigration and Customs Enforcement “a masked, untrained, unaccountable paramilitary force.” Bankhead says “A border should allow good people in and keep bad people out,” and Austin says ICE should “treat these people like people.”

Public lands. Alme says “I will always fight to keep our public lands in public hands.” Bodnar and Bankhead oppose the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule, which covers about 6 million acres in Montana, and Austin supports it with conditions.

Spending and taxes. Alme says “I balanced a budget, and I’m ready to go to Washington and do it again,” and would introduce a bill to stop Congress’ pay if it cannot balance the budget. Bankhead says “This race is not about Democrat versus Republican. It’s about the 1% versus everybody else.”

In Their Own Words

Kurt Alme, at the Oct. 11 debate:

“I’m the only candidate up here with a proven record of cutting taxes, balancing our state budget, and locking up violent criminals.”

Seth Bodnar, at the same debate:

“Montana is my party.”

Alani Bankhead, at the same debate:

“I will absolutely fight for the people of Montana because I’m unbought and unbossed and unafraid.”

Kyle Austin, at the same debate:

“Public lands will remain public lands.”

Questionnaires And Debates

All four ballot candidates met for the first time on Sunday, Oct. 11, in a 90-minute debate in Bozeman sponsored by the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation and aired on Montana PBS. It was Alme’s first debate. Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin had already debated in Whitefish. Alme, Bodnar, Bankhead and Austin completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Endorsements

Before the primary, Trump endorsed Alme shortly after Daines did, according to Montana Public Radio. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Gianforte among Alme’s backers.

Tester also endorsed Bodnar, according to KTVH’s debate report. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists former Sens. Max Baucus (D) and Joe Manchin (I) among Bodnar’s backers, and former Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D), the National Organization for Women and the National Women’s Political Caucus among Bankhead’s backers.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from FEC reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Bodnar reported raising $4,918,341 and spending $4,337,420, with $580,921 on hand.
  • Alme reported raising $3,013,681 and spending $2,410,943, with $602,738 on hand.
  • Austin reported raising $261,825 and spending $259,691, with $2,684 on hand.
  • Bankhead reported raising $190,565 and spending $167,745, with $22,820 on hand.

AllCiv’s Montana U.S. Senate race page shows $9.2 million in outside spending in the race. Ballotpedia’s FEC data shows about $3.2 million of it supporting Bankhead, $2.4 million supporting Alme and $972,000 opposing Bodnar.

The Incumbent’s Record

Daines, the incumbent, is not on the ballot. Daines called serving in Congress “the greatest honor of my professional career” when announcing the decision to step aside.

Challengers’ Records

Alme served as Montana’s U.S. attorney under two Trump appointments and as budget director for Gianforte, according to Montana Public Radio. Bodnar led the University of Montana for eight years, and Bankhead, Austin and Woodman have not held elected office.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

Downing is the only candidate on either ballot with a congressional record, and interest groups on both sides have rated it. Each group picks its own set of votes, so the scores measure different things:

  • Heritage Action, which rates votes from a conservative perspective, gives Downing 94% for the current Congress.
  • The AFL-CIO, which rates votes on labor issues, gives Downing 0% for 2025 and 0% lifetime.
  • The League of Conservation Voters, which rates environmental votes, gives Downing 0% for 2025 and 0% lifetime.

No Senate candidate has served in Congress, so none has a congressional scorecard.

Also On Your Ballot

Every Montana voter will see three statewide measures, along with legislative and local races, according to Montana Free Press’ ballot initiatives guide.

CI-132: Nonpartisan judicial elections. A Yes vote adds a line to the Montana Constitution saying “Judicial elections shall remain nonpartisan,” which would make it much harder for lawmakers to make judicial races partisan. A No vote leaves the constitution unchanged. Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts says it will “keep judges accountable to the people’s interests, not deep-pocketed political interests.” The Montana Republican Party opposes it, saying in a resolution that “the Montana Supreme Court has long acted as a partisan Democrat bench.”

CI-133: Initiative and referendum rights. A Yes vote makes proposing and voting on citizen initiatives a “fundamental right” in the constitution that government may not burden without a compelling interest. It would require the state to review initiative language within 90 days, resolve legal challenges before ballots are finalized and allow “reasonably ample time” for signature gathering. A No vote leaves the current process in place. Dani Hess of Montanans Decide says “CI-133 protects our right to propose and vote on laws that put our interests first,” according to the Daily Montanan’s CI-133 report. Charles Robison of the Montana Chamber of Commerce calls it “vaguely written” and says “I think it’s reckless and also unnecessary.”

I-194: Corporate election spending. A Yes vote changes state law to bar “artificial persons,” including corporations, nonprofits, trusts and unions with charters filed with the state, from spending money to influence local, state or federal elections. A No vote keeps current law. Organizer Jeff Mangan, a former state commissioner of political practices, says it is designed to get around the 2010 Citizens United ruling, and Tester, Racicot and Bullock back it. The Montana, Kalispell and Billings chambers of commerce oppose it, writing that a “Main Street restaurant could not support a local levy to improve public safety.”

Before You Go

Today

  • Election Day is today, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Most polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and polling places with fewer than 400 registered voters must open by noon, according to Election Protection’s Montana guide. Voters in line at 8 p.m. may vote. Find your polling place on the Montana Secretary of State’s polling location page, and preview your ballot with the secretary of state’s sample ballots.
  • Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. today. You can drop yours at your county election office or any polling place in your county.
  • ID: Bring a Montana driver’s license or state ID, military ID, tribal photo ID, U.S. passport, concealed carry permit or certain student IDs. Without one, bring a photo ID plus a current utility bill, bank statement or government document showing your name and address. Voters without proper ID can cast a provisional ballot.
  • Late registration: If you are not registered, contact your county election office about registering and voting in person today.
  • Questions: Call the Montana Elections Division at 888-884-VOTE, or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Regular registration closed Monday, Oct. 5.
  • Absentee ballot requests were due at noon Monday, Nov. 2.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Ballot Measures

Endorsements

Scorecards

Voting Information

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